Good news from China on busting illegal ivory dealers

Based on information IFAW provided about the rampant illegal trade of ivory on the markets, China’s Forestry Police made a sudden, unannounced inspection of an antique mall, outside Beijing on August 6th. Police found 107 pieces of illegal ivory and other wildlife products and detained three suspects.

IFAW’s investigation found that Beijing is a hot spot for illegal ivory trade. Inside the Chengtian antique mall IFAW investigators found that out of the 22 shops engaging in ivory trade, only one shop had the necessary government license, while the other 21 were operating completely illegally. Many illegal traders operate right underneath a poster warning against illegal ivory trade.

In the Chinese version of the report that IFAW provided to national enforcement authorities, we provided detailed information about the antique mall, the locations of the shops that sold illegal ivory there and even the contact details of the shop owners. Our preliminary information helped police conduct this recent crackdown.